Pairing and Sharing: A Technique to Increase Engagement and Achievement with Struggling Middle School Readers

Abstract The purpose of this research was to determine whether reading with a partner coupled with active reading based communication would increase the engagement and achievement of seventh grade READ 180 students. READ 180 was a reading intervention program which consisted of four main components: whole and small group instruction, software, and independent reading. Many students struggled with the independent reading portion of the program, failing to finish books and/or pass comprehension quizzes. During the study, students were assigned a partner. They read together instead of separately during independent reading times. Three primary types of data were collected to monitor engagement and achievement: first, observable student reading behaviors; second, the number of comprehension quizzes passed; third, the number of words read independently. Two secondary forms of data were also examined: the average number of pages read daily and student responses to a post-study survey. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis to draw conclusions from the study. Findings consistently revealed that while reading with a partner students increased overall engagement and achievement

STPSat-1: A New Approach to DoD Experiment Spaceflight

For small satellites, finding affordable access to space is a daunting hurdle. The Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) promises to make excess capacity on future EELV launches available for the Department of Defense (DoD) Space Test Program (STP) and other organizations as a lower-cost launch alternative. STP Satellite Mission 1 (STPSat-1) is the first STP satellite built specifically to exploit this capacity. STPSat-1 continues STP’s mission to provide access to space for DoD sponsored experiments. This spacecraft hosts four such experiments: Spatial Heterodyne Imager for Mesospheric Radicals (SHIMMER); Computerized Ionospheric Tomography Receiver in Space (CITRIS); Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS)-based PicoSat Inspector (MEPSI), and; Wafer Scale Signal Processing (WSSP). Consistent with STP’s mission, these experiments will demonstrate new technologies for space applications. This paper discusses several technical challenges being overcome by the STPSat-1 team. SHIMMER is the primary driver for spacecraft attitude and thermal performance. ESPA restrictions tightly constrain volume and mass. Limited knowledge of the launch environment exists since Delta IV has not yet flown (at this writing). This paper will discuss the approach used to meet these technical challenges, present organizational structures used to optimize communications, and address design-to-cost and mission risk constraints

GABAB receptor allosteric modulators exhibit pathway-dependent and species-selective activity.

Positive modulation of the GABAB receptor (GABABR) represents a potentially useful therapeutic approach for the treatment of nicotine addiction. The positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of GABABR GS39783 and BHF177 enhance GABA-stimulated [35S]GTP γS-binding, and have shown efficacy in a rodent nicotine self-administration procedure reflecting aspects of nicotine dependence. Interestingly, the structural related analog, NVP998, had no effect on nicotine self-administration in rats despite demonstrating similar pharmacokinetic properties. Extensive in vitro characterization of GS39783, BHF177, and NVP998 activity on GABABR-regulated signaling events, including modulation of cAMP, intracellular calcium levels, and ERK activation, revealed that these structurally related molecules display distinct pathway-specific signaling activities that correlate with the dissimilarities observed in rodent models and may be predictive of in vivo efficacy. Furthermore, these GABABR allosteric modulators exhibit species-dependent activity. Collectively, these data will be useful in guiding the development of GABABR allosteric modulators that display optimal in vivo efficacy in a preclinical model of nicotine dependence, and will identify those that have the potential to lead to novel antismoking therapies

External stakeholders and health promoting schools: complexity and practice in South Africa

Purpose: This paper examines the role of two higher education institutions in the Western Cape, South Africa, and how their initiatives and collaboration brought about a particular Health Promoting Schools (HPS) program in a resource poor setting. The aim of this paper is to reflect on the importance of the role that external systemic actors and stakeholders can play in the process of designing and implementing HPS programs in resource poor settings. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper a complex systems approach is employed to describe two different participatory methods of engagement with HPS by higher education institutions. On the one hand, engagement took place in terms of a formal and funded project, directed at the organizational level of the school, with capacity building as its aim. On the other hand, engagement was initiated informally (as part of a service learning project) via collaboration with the formal project, directed at the individual level of learners in the school. Findings: In recognizing the complex nature of planning and implementing HPS programs, the paper demonstrates that HPS approaches could benefit from engaging with resources outside the ambit of institutional health and educational policies and structures. Originality/value: By acknowledging the systemic nature of implementing HPS strategies, novel collaborations emerge as a result. The paper highlights the important role that external stakeholders such as higher education institutions play in creating and sustaining tailor-made HPS programs for schools based in resource poor settings

Two approaches to longitudinal qualitative analyses in rehabilitation and disability research.

Purpose: Although relatively unknown within the field of rehabilitation, qualitative longitudinal research is ideal for rehabilitation and disability research that aims to understand health-related challenges over time. We describe the strengths and challenges of longitudinal qualitative research using two concrete examples.Materials and methods: Qualitative longitudinal research often involves in-depth interviews of participants on multiple occasions over time. Analytic approaches are complex, summarizing data both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. We present two detailed analytic approaches used in research with people living with HIV in Zambia and Canada.Results: Our experiences provide three recommendations. First, development of the initial analytic coding framework should include both inductive and deductive approaches. Second, given the large quantity of data generated through longitudinal qualitative research, it is important to proactively develop strategies for data analysis and management. Third, as retention of participants is challenging over time, we recommend the use of a consistent interviewer over the duration of the study to promote a trusting relationship.Conclusions: Longitudinal qualitative research has much to offer researchers and can provide clinicians with insights on the challenges of living with chronic and episodic disability. The flexibility in analytic approaches allows for diverse strategies to best address the rehabilitation and disability research questions and allow for insights into living with disability over time

Preliminary in vitro insights into the use of natural fungal pathogens of leaf-cutting ants as biocontrol agents

Leaf-cutting ants are one of the main herbivores of the Neotropics, where they represent an important agricultural pest. These ants are particularly difficult to control because of the complex network of microbial symbionts. Leaf-cutting ants have traditionally been controlled through pesticide application, but there is a need for alternative, more environmentally friendly, control methods such as biological control. Potential promising biocontrol candidates include the microfungi Escovopsis spp. (anamorphic Hypocreales), which are specialized pathogens of the fungi the ants cultivate for food. These pathogens are suppressed through ant behaviors and ant-associated antibiotic-producing Actinobacteria. In order to be an effective biocontrol agent, Escovopsis has to overcome these defenses. Here, we evaluate, using microbial in vitro assays, whether defenses in the ant-cultivated fungus strain (Leucoagaricus sp.) and Actinobacteria from the ant pest Acromyrmex lundii have the potential to limit the use of Escovopsis in biocontrol. We also explore, for the first time, possible synergistic biocontrol between Escovopsis and the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium lecanii. All strains of Escovopsis proved to overgrow A. lundii cultivar in less than 7 days, with the Escovopsis strain isolated from a different leaf-cutting ant species being the most efficient. Escovopsis challenged with a Streptomyces strain isolated from A. lundii did not exhibit significant growth inhibition. Both results are encouraging for the use of Escovopsis as a biocontrol agent. Although we found that L. lecanii can suppress the growth of the cultivar, it also had a negative impact on Escovopsis, making the success of simultaneous use of these two fungi for biocontrol of A. lundii questionable.Fil: Folgarait, Patricia Julia. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gorosito, Norma Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes; ArgentinaFil: Poulsen, Michael. University of Wisconsin; Estados UnidosFil: Currie, Cameron R.. University of Wisconsin; Estados Unido